Yeghegnadzor community residents presented conflicting situation around Gladzor multi-metal mine to Vayots Dzor regional head, 25 July 2025

The initiative group against the development, extraction and exploitation of Gladzor multi-metallic mine, established in Yeghegnadzor Community, Vayots Dzor Region, Armenia, presented to Vayots Dzor Regional Head Kolya Mikaelyan the conflicting situation created in the community related to the geological studies and further exploitation of Gladzor multi-metallic mine initiated by "Metal Gold" LLC. It should be noted that the conflict arose back in 2013.

Recently, this group presented its position to Vayots Dzor Regional Head Kolya Mikaelyan, which says: "Gladzor multi-metallic deposit is located on Teq Sar. Teq Sar and the adjacent watershed ridges are the catchment basin of Yeghegis, Arpa rivers, from which the Vernashen, Malishka, Gladzor and Yeghegis rivers flow into the gorge. The drinking water springs of Vernashen, Gladzor, Malishka, Vaik originate from that water basin. The Arpa-Sevan aqueduct passes in the neighborhood. Teq Sar and neighboring areas are pastures and privatized areas of grassland.  Teq Sar is located on a ridge of uranium deposits.

We find that exploration and exploitation of the mine is incompatible for the population living in the vicinity of Teq Sar and for the communities through which the above-mentioned rivers pass. The future fate of Gladzor multi-metallic mine should be decided by the residents of the affected communities through a referendum...